Congress’ Seva Dal praises RSS, creates ripple in party

Bhopal: A purported press note issued by Seva Dal of Congress has praised Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), particularly taking note of its role in freedom movement of India, leaving the grand old party red-faced.

Incidentally, the pro-RSS press note by Seva Dal, a key frontal organisation of Congress, has come in the wake of recent virulent attacks on the saffron outfit by AICC president Rahul Gandhi who has even compared it with Islamic militant groups such as ISIS and Muslim Brotherhood.

The purported press note recounted how RSS founder Dr Hedgewar was jailed for participating in the non-cooperation movement during the freedom struggle and how RSS had protested visit of Simon Commission to India.

The “release” was also effusive in its praise of discipline in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.

The “press note” was released on the occasion of opening of three-day national camp of Seva Dal in district headquarters town of Bhind in Madhya Pradesh on Monday.

In an apparent damage control exercise, Seva Dal spokesman on Monday described the “faux pas” as typical error saying, “Instead of Seva Dal, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh has been written in the press note because of printing error”.

Madhya Pradesh Congress spokesman Bhupendra Gupta however saw hand of RSS behind it, alleging that, “It was a fake press note being circulated by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh”.

BJP spokesman Rajnish Agrawal however denied role of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in the controversy reminding the Congress spokesman of admission by none other than the Seva Dal spokesman of typical error in the press note.

“The Seva Dal spokesman has admitted that the press release was issued by his organisation”, he added.

Earlier, AICC general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh Deepak Babaria had created flutter in his party by appreciating the culture of discipline in Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and exhorted his party to emulate it.